Blues lead hunt for midfield star

Chelsea, Latest news update: July 25, 2011 12:33 PM[[views]]

Chelsea are leading the race to sign Palmero's £40m-rated playmaker Javier Pastore, according to the Serie A side.

The likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City and AC Milan have all been credited with an interest in the Argentine international but Palmero's 45m euro (approx £40m) asking price is thought to have put the majority of his suitors off a summer swoop.
However, it has now been reported that a club has matched the Italian outfit's asking price and it would appear that Chelsea are the side in question.
Palermo Vice-President Guglielmo Micciche has revealed that Chelsea is the most likely destination if the 22-year-old does move on in the summer, although the transfer is not set in stone as yet.
He said: "It's very probable that Pastore will go to Chelsea, but I think there are other top-level teams who are after the player."
If Pastore does seal a switch to Stamford Bridge it may well put an end to the Blues' interest in Luka Modric, with Spurs adamant the Croatian midfielder is staying at White Hart Lane this summer.